Manchester State Park
The Park is currently OPEN.
Please check the hours of operation.Manchester Campground is currently closed to camping. Manchester campground was open for the season May 24, 2024 through September 2, 2024. During the open season individual camping is available first-come first-serve. The Manchester Group Camp was on reservations through Reserve California for the season May 24, 2024 through September 2, 2024. For additional questions please contact Mendocino@Parks.ca.gov.
The environmental camp sites have been permanently closed to camping.
No Drones Allowed in Park
- The noise and sight of drones can alter other people’s enjoyment of nature.
- A drone hovering nearby can feel intrusive and threatening.
- Drones can capture photographs and video without someone’s permission.
- Drones mimic the behavior of predatory birds and can frighten wildlife.
Manchester State Park features a beach, sand dunes, and flat grasslands, with nearly 18,000 feet of ocean frontage. The beach line curves gently to form a "catch basin" for sea debris, which accounts for the volume of driftwood found here. Five miles of gentle, sandy beach stretches southward towards the Point Arena Lighthouse.
One of the main attractions is the excellent steelhead fishing in the park’s two streams, Brush Creek and Alder Creek. Please check with the Department of Fish and Game for seasonal closures and restrictions at www.dfg.ca.gov/regulations.
The park features a variety of coastal wildflowers, including sea pinks, poppies, lupines, baby blue eyes and blue irises. The park provides habitat for tundra swans. The San Andreas Fault runs into the sea at the park.
The park takes its name from the village of Manchester, which is located in Mendocino County on Coast Highway 1 about seven miles north of Point Arena.
This is an area of rich grazing lands, flocks of sheep and herds of cattle which add a pastoral note to some of the most spectacular coastal scenery in the world.
Location/Directions
The main park entrance is located at 44500 Kinney Lane (off Hwy 1), 1/2 mile north of the town of Manchester.
Seasons/Climate/Recommended clothing
Temperatures seldom rise above 72 nor dip below 50 . Rainfall is heavy from September to May, and morning and evening fog is common during the summer months. Strong winds prevail year-round. Layered clothing is recommended.